Press Release from the Nobel Assembly, stating that laureate Ralph Steinman will remain a laureate, despite having passed away on September 30th, three days beore the announcement of the Physiology or Medicine Prize laureates.

The Assembly did not learn of Mr Steinman's death, from pancreatic cancer, until several hours after the announcement had been made. One of the conditions of the Nobel Prizes is that they may not be awarded posthumously, unless the award had been announced and the laureate passed away between the time of announcement and the ceremony.

As the Assembly believed that Mr Steinman was still alive when they made their decision and the subsequent announcement, they have chosen to keep Mr Steinman as this year's laureate.

Tomas Tranströmer receive the 2011 Nobel Prize in Literature
Finally!
Some have said that it is difficult to give the prize to a Swedish writer (because its a Swedish prize) but unlike the last time when two Swedes won the literature prize (Eyvind Johnson and Harry Martinsson shared the prize in 1974) Tomas Tranströmer is NOT a member of the Swedish Academy (who appoints the winner). AND he is read and loved abroad (ie in countries other than Sweden ...)

__________________
"Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body" (Ecclesiastes 12:12)

I hope Madeleine will be there. But she seems more interested in the US private life than she does with representing her own heritage and country and it's not sad...it's pathetic.

The royal family's role at the Nobel prize dinner is that of guests. The event is the responsibility of the Nobel Organization and the event if to honor the prize winners. The King's role is to present the awards to the winners. Although it is a very important social event it is not an event hosted by the King. The Queen always is escorted into the event by the Chairman of the Nobel Organization and they enter right after the King and his escort.

If Madeleine chooses to not attend is perfectly fine for me as a Swede and I would guess for most of my countryfolk. The event is to highlight the tremendous accomplishments of the winners and the important role of the Nobel Foundation in recognizing them with the prizes.

I rather see Princess Madeleine involved in such an important organization as the World Childhood than being fodder for papparazzis every time she steps outside. Sweden is smaller than Los Angeles county in population so the number or royals doing royal stuff are plenty. Prince Daniel is doing a great job and as the future consort of our future Queen he should be the busiest royal after the King, Queen and Crown Princess.

It remains to be seen whether or not Madeleine and Carl Philip attend the Nobel ceremony and banquet as well as the dinner hosted by the King on the next night. In some years past different members have missed one or both nights.

Silvia - 1980 (I believe she was ill at the time...this is the only one that she has missed since becoming queen of sweden)Victoria - 1996,2002Madeleine - 2001,2004,2010Lilian - 2006 was the last one she attended. Her Alzheimer's or dementia have prevented her from making public appearances since that time. Prior to that, however, she never missed a Nobel ceremony since joining the royal family - 31 straight appearances.Christina - Some of these may just be listed because I had not seen or verified a photograph from that particular year. Perhaps someone would have better knowledge of her attendance...but AFAIK she was not present in 1984-86,1988,1990,1993,1995,1996, and 2007.Desiree - has attended some of the events but never consistently.

Does anyone know why Victoria and Madeleine were absent during the years listed?

__________________"Some people just see what they want to" - Several People...what a load of crap.

Thanks for the reply Esmerelda. I first thought about Victoria and college as well. But then I remembered that she didn't leave to study in the US until after the public announcement of her battle with eating disorders in 1997. She didn't begin to study at Yale until January 1998. Is there some other education she received in the US prior to her time at Yale of which I am unaware? Thanks again.

__________________"Some people just see what they want to" - Several People...what a load of crap.

CP Victoria did not attend the Nobel Prize ceremony in two more years apart from the the ones listed by Rascal - the years she was missing are 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2002.
Princess Christina actually attended almost every time; it's just difficult to find pics of her from the earlier years online, and she was also present in 2007.

The official website of the Luxembourg Court has announced that Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa will attend the Nobel Award ceremony and banquet on December 10th as well as the annual ‘Day After’ gala dinner at Stockholm Palace on the 11th on the invitation of King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia.
Biologist Jules A. Hoffmann, one of the winners of the Nobel Prize for medicine, comes originally from Luxembourg.
With the large collection of Luxembourg jewels available, lots of additional glitter at this year's Nobel is guaranteed...